Chapter 13

AFTER CONSULTING MR. Grant yesterday afternoon, it was settled that a sum of seven pounds would be appropriate compensation for Mrs. Taylor’s lost wages at her dismissal. Mr. David Leigh had provided her with a final sum that, while legally correct, would have angered Mr. Edward Leigh greatly. So, in accordance with the former employer’s personality and general dispossession toward those in his service, Mr. Grant believed seven pounds would be proper. He would write to Mrs. Taylor in a day or two, announcing the settlement, and ask her for a meeting to present her with the funds.

Elizabeth dutifully gave Mr. Grant one five-pound note and two one-pound notes. She was not upset by giving away the money to assist Mrs. Taylor. Though, she did have a slight sadness about parting with the money, as she might never see so much actual wealth in her hands again. However, she was practical about it all. Mrs. Taylor lived in London, and she would have an easier time spending a bank note issued by a London bank than she could ever do in the country.

2s 14d for charity at West Alley Buildings

£2 19s 5p Writing Desk for Cassandra

2s Music Lesson book for Cassandra

2d boiled sweets for Mary’s children

Total pin money: £11 1s 9p

She dutifully recorded the expenditure into her journal, and it was then she felt the sense of accomplishment. The boiled sweets were in the parcel with Mary’s letters. Cassandra’s desk was simpler than her own, but it was new and well-finished. She’d spent a little extra to have a small journal, and a writing set all included within the desk. She purchased the book of music used at Mr. Osborne’s bookshop, and it was in excellent condition.

She smiled at the money she’d donated outside Mrs. Taylor’s apartments. She handed out every single small coin she had in her reticule to those begging outside the apartment doors.

Fifty-three pounds was still more than double her annual pin money. If she did not share it with Mrs. Taylor, she was certain it would have felt too much like stealing from an elderly, loyal servant. She could not have enjoyed her money with that over her head. No, it was right and proper, and she was happy to provide that payment.

Elizabeth returned to the dining room where only Aunt Cass sat. She had her usual stack of newspapers that James picked up for her every morning. Then, she and Sir William would exchange their papers in the evening. It had been their tradition since Uncle Spencer first moved into the house, and Aunt Cass said she’d miss her evening paper exchange with the neighbours.

Miss Susan and Mrs. Taylor had moved into the house on Saturday, and Elizabeth could clearly see the younger woman’s health had improved upon arrival.

She sat the dining room table to breakfast. She picked up a warm roll and began smearing strawberry preserves on it. Miss Susan had taken ill in the middle of the night with a coughing fit, but she’d been silent for some time now.

“I called for Mr. Smith and he said there is no cause for alarm. The coughing will take several weeks to properly clear, but she is well past the infectious stage. He recommended a medicine to help her sleep, but she refused it on the account that it gave her terrible headaches. Therefore, Mr. Smith recommended a tall glass of warm brandy, and she has been asleep since.” Aunt Cass snickered. “As would I be if I’d drank that much all in one sitting!”

“Oh, she did. Cook has put aside a plate for her, in case she wakes after the breakfast dishes are cleared. So, do not concern yourself. Eat whatever you need and read your letters.”

Elizabeth picked up the pile of fat envelopes. “Goodness. Bryden is never this exciting when I am there.”

Dear Elizabeth,

Isabella told us all about how you nearly died and I’m so happy to hear that you are not dead. Mostly because there is so much happening in Bryden right now.

Elizabeth burst out into laughter at Georgiana’s letter. At Aunt Cass’s questioning glance, she clarified, “G is happy I am not dead.”

“Shall I assume it is because she has news. Or does she need you to purchase something in London?”

Aunt Cass made a thoughtful sound. “A request will be at the end, no doubt.”

Elizabeth continued to read her letter while sipping her breakfast chocolate. A few more paragraphs of news about this person and that, and then sure enough:

Isabella said I am not to ask this, and I wouldn’t except that it is vitally important. There is no decent lace in the shop in the village. It is all too wide. I tried cutting it, but it frayed dreadfully. Isabella said to try folding it, but that did not work properly. Would you please send home some lace? I only need six yards. Oh, and if you are going to be at the shops and have a little money to spare, I would also like three yards of flannel. Pink flower print, if you can find it.

“Six yards of lace? What on earth is she doing with it?” Aunt Cass asked. “And three yards of flannel? What use would three yards be?”

Aunt Cass seemed dubious about that answer. “But in pink flowers? Have you even seen such a print on flannel?”

Elizabeth sighed. “I swear that girl will drive us all into bankruptcy if we let her.”

“I am not sure there is a man in England wealthy enough for her. Pink flowers on flannel!”

My dear sister,

G and Thea are causing Isabella so much stress that I had to return from Mary’s. Isabella’s health has not been its usual robustness since you left. She has fainted three times! Some days she is too weak to get out of bed. G and Thea have been horrid to her and I fear there will not be a house left standing if this tarries on much longer.

“She has fainted three times this week, and is unable to get out of bed,” Elizabeth said. Then it dawned on her and her shoulders slumped. “I wonder if she is with child.”

Aunt Cass looked at Elizabeth over her newspaper. “That does sound likely. She is quite young still.”

A sickness hit Elizabeth’s stomach. She had already lost a mother and a stepmother to childbirth. Oh, she did not wish to lose yet another.

“Try not to worry, my dear,” Aunt Cass said. “Women do survive pregnancy.”

“I know, but...Well, my experiences have not cast a positive light on the situation. I shall have to write to the girls and lecture them. I’ve not been here a fortnight!”

I am considering sending Thea to stay with Mary, just so that we can get some peace at Bryden.

“Poor Cassy. I wish Mary would simply hire someone for the children. It’s not as thought she cannot afford it,” Elizabeth said.

Elizabeth made a thoughtful sound. “Possibly. Bryden has been so dull this winter. No one interesting came to the village, I swear. Aunt, are you planning to go to Bath this year? If you are, you might consider bringing Cassandra with you.”

“I hadn’t considered it, to be truthful. I had planned to stay in London with Edward. Though, I suppose with him gone, I could head there for a couple of months. Would you like to come with me? Bring Cassandra, too, obviously. Maybe we could marry her off, and then you would have a more reasonable sister to spend your time with.”

“It would be a relief, that is for sure,” Elizabeth said. She glanced at one of the letters. “This one was for you. I’d recognize Mary’s handwriting anywhere.”

Dear Aunt Cassandra,

I hope all is well in London. My children are delights and look forward to the excellent cake at your table when we return to London. We are very attentive to your particular loss of your brother, and I’m sure the company of children’s laughter will be a cure.

I write to you to request that you send my sister, Elizabeth, to Ashbrook as soon as is convenient. My father is, of course, very concerned about the notion of her socializing in London when she should be in deep mourning, especially with my uncle so recently deceased. Likewise, I am in desperate need of her services. There is no one to care for the children, and I am, of course, too busy running the household. Elizabeth has such a way with them and I need her assistance immediately. And I’m sure you could spare her.

Please write directly with the particulars of her arrival.

Mary

AUNT CASS ROLLED HER eyes at Elizabeth and asked, “Would you like me to write Mary?”

“Please,” Elizabeth said. “I have already written her since I’ve arrived in London.”

“Augusta Leigh-Knight was a horrible influence on that girl. Every time she speaks, all I can hear is that shrill woman’s voice.”

“Oh, don’t give me that look, Elizabeth Knight. I grew up around Augusta, do not forget.” She gave the letter a final glance over before saying, “Mary is only upset because she cannot find an excuse to come to London to sniff around! I suppose I have to read the letter from your father now.”

Dear Mrs. Spencer and sister,

I wish to extend my condolences upon the death of your brother. Death is always a difficult event for those of us who remain, but we must comfort ourselves that your dear brother is, hopefully, within the embrace of the Lord Almighty in heaven above.

“Hopefully!” Aunt Cass exclaimed, interrupting her own reading. “Hopefully? How dare your father behave like a...a...there are no words.”

Elizabeth managed to keep her smirk to herself. “He has always been uncomfortable with the Church of England’s ambivalent opinion on the occult.”

“That is not a good enough reason to make such an accusation! The idea of my brother not going to heaven. The offense! But that is not all.”

I have been very uncomfortable with my eldest daughter’s association with the occult. Now, however, I hear that she has received a gift from Mr. David Leigh, a gift that might result in a hundred pounds or even more! This is very unacceptable for a single young lady to receive from a single man of Mr. Leigh’s position, even though he is her cousin. I am shocked that you would allow this. Shall I count on you to intercede? Perhaps Mr. Leigh will consider marrying Elizabeth as to preserve her reputation.

“Good god!” Elizabeth slumped in her chair. “I am absolutely buying Miss Reeves an engagement gift, I do not care what is proper or required. I am buying that woman something expensive and singular.”

Aunt Cass waved the letter in the air. “Now I will have to write to that detestable nephew of mine and tell him to speak to your father. Why do men say women do nothing but gossip, when it’s clear your cousin has been gossiping all about town enough that your father has heard!”

I am also writing to call Elizabeth upon her family duties. She is needed at Ashbrook. Her sister Mary quite depends upon her assistance with the little ones, as Mary is very busy at present visiting the poor.

“Unless it was to steal something from them!” Aunt Cass only laughed harder at Elizabeth’s condemning stare.

I am certain Elizabeth is of no use to you in London, and I am sending Charles to escort her onwards.

ELIZABETH SIGHED. “I am so sorry, Aunt. I will write to them to ask them to delay it. There is simply too much going on here for me to leave.”

Aunt Cass frowned. “I confess, I have some news that I have not shared with you yet this morning. Charles is already in London and will be calling this morning.”

“I received said note from Charles this morning, announcing that he will be here at one o’clock sharp to take you back to Bryden.”

“That is...no!” Elizabeth said. “I cannot leave, especially not today. I am not even packed. And the books have not all been sorted yet, let alone sold. And Miss Thorne is coming over this afternoon so that we can work on Mrs. Egerton’s incantations. Why did you not tell me?”

“Because there was no point. It is not possible for you to leave today. You’ve barely been in London. Why on earth would you leave now? No. I will not permit it. Mary can find someone else.” Aunt Cass sighed. “Do you think your brother will assume he is invited to dinner?”

“I believe he will expect the invitation, yes,” Elizabeth said apologetically.

Aunt Cass made an undignified sound and left to speak with Mrs. Cook about the dinner menu. Elizabeth glanced at the clock and saw that she had nearly two hours before both her brother and her new friend arrived. She was not in the mood whatsoever to tolerate any of Charles’ foolishness, and she was certainly not going back to Bryden.

Elizabeth had to keep that to herself. She mentally scolded her own mind into promising that she would not let those words tumble out of her mouth no matter what Charles did to provoke her temper.

She spoke with Mrs. Taylor and, together, they decided that the drawing room trunks should be moved to the foyer, in the corner where currently the oak table and dried flowers sat. The table could be moved into the drawing room, and the trunks placed there. It would be a little cluttered, but at least Charles would have somewhere to sit when he visited. And, most importantly, he would not complain of the state of Aunt Cass’s house to their father.

With Mrs. Taylor’s guidance, the male servants moved the trunks into the discreet corner. Thankfully, the trunks stacked very neatly.

Another letter arrived, this time from Mr. Henry Thorne’s servant. He’d successfully hand sold all her agricultural books, both occult and general, and included four pounds, two shillings, and sixpence with the letter. Elizabeth immediately went upstairs to her room and pulled out her journal.

She heard a knock down below, and locked her desk as quickly as possible. She dropped the keys back into her reticule and carried it, and Mrs. Egerton’s book, downstairs with her. She could see her aunt walking toward the drawing room, and James waited to answer the door, allowing Elizabeth to rush across the foyer. She collapsed into a chair, took a deep breath, and began to calm herself.

Charles marched into the room, bowed slightly to his aunt and said, “Father has sent me to bring you home this minute.”

Elizabeth had not expected Charles’ angry expression. Nor had she expected his curt tone. It spoiled her mood immediately. “And good day to you, Charles. Why, thank you, my health is well.”

He ignored her. “I lost a full day to get here and by God you are coming home this minute, Elizabeth. He wants you away from this occult business immediately and for you to return to the rectory. He orders you to come home.”

“Elizabeth is not some country curate for him to order about,” Aunt Cass said.

“Charles!” Elizabeth said, shocked that her brother would speak to her aunt in that manner.

Charles, however, kept that angry expression on his face and said, “Obey me at once, sister.”

Aunt Cass pushed herself to her feet. “Charles Knight. You are nobody to me, and I only afford you good manners because you are my dear niece’s half brother. But do not think for a minute I will allow you to come into my home and make demands upon me and my guest.”

“Charles, for the love of God. Sit down and be calm,” Elizabeth instructed of her younger sibling.

“Listen to me, Elizabeth. When Father is dead, I will be in charge of our household. Now, I recommend you do as I say, or I promise that—”

“How dare you threaten me!” Elizabeth roared, in a voice she had not hear come out of her own mouth since she was a child. She pushed herself from the sofa and stepped closer to him. “How dare you!”

“I remember helping raise you, Charles Augustus Knight. I have endured you stealing, time and time again, the money Papa has given you to pass along to me. I am sorry, Charles, that you have not a career to keep your mind occupied, but whose fault is that? You could be a clergyman. You could have joined the navy or the army. You could even go into the law. I’m sure Mary’s husband has enough connections to assist you. Instead, you laze about the countryside, seducing young women because they are only servants and gambling away what little money our family has and thinking none of us know any better.”

Aunt Cass began to berate him but Elizabeth held up her hand. “Now you listen to me very carefully, brother, because I shall only speak this once to you. I am in London to assist my aunt with my uncle’s estate. My cousin David Leigh, likewise, is here and needs assistance with the estate and his library. My help is needed. I am not needed in Bryden or at Ashbrook or anywhere else as badly as I am required here. I do not know what you or anyone else told Papa to make him like this, but it was not from me.”

The look on Charles’ face announced the answer: he had been the source of the gossip.

“That you accepted a shocking gift from your cousin? Yes, I did tell him that.”

“He gave it to Aunt Cass!” Elizabeth said. She threw up her hands in exasperation. “Mr. David Leigh is secretly engaged. He did not want anyone to know because he became engaged the night our uncle died. Only, Mr. Leigh didn’t know that our uncle was dying until after he had secured the lady’s hand. The books were her idea! And since I was already here with my uncle’s books, I have been assisting everyone!”

Charles’ anger vanished for a moment, replaced with confusion at her words. But the arrogant sneer returned. “That is not how I heard it.”

Elizabeth looked around her brother to see Maria and Henry Thorne standing there. Maria’s rage was evident. Henry’s expression was one of calm; the look of a man who had nothing to fear in life.

To Aunt Cass, Henry Thorne said, “Madam, I apologize that we are late. I was haggling on your behalf and am pleased to announce that I have sold eleven more books for you. I will provide Miss Knight the titles and she can assist with the packing once her guest has left.”

Charles snorted. “Thorne, please. I know you are selling them for my sister. It’s all over town.”

Elizabeth cut him off before he could answer. “Charles! Mr. Thorne is helping with the auction of everyone’s books in this house. Do you have any concept of the number of books Cousin David gave to my aunt, as well as the ones my uncle gave me directly in his will? We needed Mr. Thorne’s help, and he has been more helpful than you are at the present time. Good God, Charles. You show up here and threaten me, and call me a liar, and suggest that my reputation is blemished somehow.”

Charles hesitated. Her anger had stunned him into silence. She did not care in the slightest, for her rage was pent up over years and he would finally feel the brunt of it.

Elizabeth shouted so loud that Charles flinched. No one moved. No one spoke. Her calm and rational sense told her to collect herself before she caused herself more distress, but her heart thudded louder and pushed away that part of her.

Finally, it was Maria that broke the silence. “Henry, I left my gloves in the dining room last evening. We should go look for them.”

“I know where they are, Mrs. Thorne. I shall escort you,” Aunt Cass said in a hushed tone. The chair squeaked as Aunt Cass pushed herself to her feet.

Elizabeth did not take her eyes off her brother. “Everyone, I beg you stay where you are. It appears my brother will only believe gossip and the word of a man, so I may require Mr. Thorne to verify my words. Now. Charles. Speak. Why are you here?”

“Father threatened to cut you off, and it was only Isabella who stopped him. They quarrelled horribly.”

In a calmer voice, Elizabeth said, “Charles. Charles. So long as I have no husband, I am bound to depend upon you and our father. But I have my own money that legally no man can take from me as long as I remain single. Therefore, if you are here to fetch me back to have me locked into my bedchamber until I will hand over the books for father to sell for your own benefit, then you might as well return home now.”

“It has nothing to do with money.” His look, however, said it had everything to do with money.

“All of it. Didn’t he? If you fetched me back with my books, he would sell them to the Royal Occult Society who came sniffing about the rectory. Then, he promised to give you the money to help you out of whatever hole you are in this time.”

In a frustrated voice, Charles said, “Why does any of that matter? You are a spinster and you need to obey your father. I am your brother. I’ve been sent to fetch you. You will obey.”

“It’s these damned books. They’ve possessed you, they have. How much money have you made? It wasn’t enough that your uncle left you fourteen hundred pounds. He left you all these books, too! I’ve heard the talk about town. How much money have you made?”

Mr. Thorne cleared his throat. “Miss Knight has made ten guineas, or thereabouts, so far. The bulk of what I have sold has been from the library of Mr. Edward Leigh, which was given to Mrs. Spencer by Mr. David Leigh for her to dispense with as she saw fit.”

“And why would David Leigh give her his library? She’s richer than he is,” Charles said.

“Because his lady will not marry him until all of the occult books were gone!” Elizabeth said as she threw her hands in the air. “My cousin did not know which books should stay in the family or leave, so he gave them to Aunt Cass for us to decide.”

“He was my uncle!” Elizabeth shouted. She drew in another sharp breath and struggled to bring her temper under control. In a calmer voice, she said, “Uncle Edward taught me everything I know about the occult. I knew what books were important to him better than Aunt Cass or Cousin David. This is not some grand conspiracy. It was all of us who are here in London attempting to deal with a horrible event alongside supporting my cousin’s engagement to Miss Reeves, and us helping him honour her wishes.”

“Oh.” Charles grew silent for a moment. “I heard he didn’t want any of the auction money. He wanted you to have it all.”

Elizabeth’s shoulders slumped. “So that I could buy my siblings a few gifts. And a new pair of boots because Thea ruined mine months ago. And to help out one of my uncle’s servants. Because Miss Reeves trusted me to make the best decisions, and Mr. David Leigh felt guilty about inheriting nearly all of Uncle Edward’s estate. It was his way of helping balance the scales.”

Elizabeth sighed, the last of her energy draining out of her. “Aunt? Would you kindly help Maria find her gloves, please?”

Aunt Cass lingered until Elizabeth gave her a small nod. Elizabeth waited until Aunt Cass, Maria, and Henry Thorne left the drawing room. “Were you the one who told Papa all this?”

“No. Not really. I had heard some of it because I came to town last week, just after you arrived. I didn’t want you to know I was here. I hadn’t told Father. He thought I was at Vane Park, helping the steward with a drainage problem. But I went to London to gamble with some of my old school friends, you see.”

“Ah.” Elizabeth succeeded at keeping most of the disappointment out of her voice.

“But then I returned to Bryden, there were two gentlemen from the Royal Occult Society there. They said that you had accepted the books from your cousin, and that you were refusing to hand over items that they were supposed to have according to your uncle’s will. Then, they said that you were holding out for even more money from them, so they came to Papa to see if he could be reasoned with.”

“And you believed them.” Elizabeth didn’t bother hiding her disappointment.

Charles bowed his head. “You don’t understand how difficult it is for me. I am the only son. I will inherit almost nothing from my father when he dies, and I will be left with you and Isabella...and the three girls, unless one of them marries.”

“Your mother left you money, Charles,” Elizabeth said. “And whatever money father has put aside, you will get it all. He has already told us that.”

“That will get me what? A couple hundred a year? I cannot look after five women on that!”

“Then go back to Oxford and finish your ordination. You could work as a curate for a while and support yourself.”

Charles made a frustrated sound. “Earning fifty pounds a year dashing between rectories and doing all the work, and living in some dingy house set aside for me. Yes, you’ve said that before.”

“I’ve said it because it is a good plan for you. You would do well as a curate, and later you might come into a living. Vane Park. Ashbrook. A dozen others about our county. And you are nearly finished with your studies. You are well recovered from the illness. Oxford will accept you back, if that is your worry.”

“But how am I supposed to look after you, Elizabeth? It could be years, even decades, before I get a parish or a rectory.” A whiny tone entered her brother’s words. “It isn’t fair that you won’t marry. You’re just leaving me with the burden of supporting you.”

Elizabeth sat back down upon the sofa. For a moment, she was tempted to tell him about the book. But, no, it was not the right time. She did not know when that time would take place. For now, though, it was a secret.

“Charles, for pity’s sake. Have some compassion on me. I won’t be a burden. My uncle has seen to that. I will be making nearly as much in interest as you would as a curate.”

A bitter sound escaped her brother and she knew instantly that was the wrong tactic. “Ah, yes. While I slave about the countryside for fifty pounds, you’ll be sitting at home mending my stockings, living off your inheritance.”

“I want someone to die and leave me money, all right? All of my friends, that’s how they got their money. Someone died and left them some. And you? You did nothing, and now you got more than I will be able to make in my lifetime. And, what about when Mrs. Spencer dies, huh? How much of that money will come to you?”

“It’s the only reason Father even let you come to London so much. It was so that you could inherit something.”

It hurt her to see her brother so full of jealousy and envy, that he would threaten his own sister this way. Still, she said nothing. She had nothing left to say. She had already debased herself with an emotional scene. She would not do so again.

“I know I am a great disappointment to you. I am only trying to make Papa happy. He said to stand up to you, so...I am sorry.”

“Charles,” Elizabeth said, with more compassion than her brother probably deserved in that moment. “You are the only son. No matter what you do, our father will always love and respect you far more than he will never feel towards me. After all, are we not Charles and the girls? We don’t even get our own names.”

“Tell Papa that you believe I should be here another fortnight, while I attempt to finish organizing the last of the Leigh collection.”

She opened her reticule and pulled out the bank notes and coins. She passed it to Charles. “Here is a five pound bank note. And four shillings. Mr. Thorne will most likely have double that again by the time he’s done. Tell our father I gave this to you to help support your time in London, and because you needed...whatever it is that you need.”

“You lied to him about helping with the drainage at Vane Park. You can lie about this,” Elizabeth said. Normally, she felt guilt about lying, but there was only a coldness now. She could not trust any of the men in her family.

“I will bring back a very small selection when I return. The rest will be either sold or will remain in London, in Aunt Cass’s collection.”

He took the money from her and shoved it all into his breast pocket. “What about the Royal Occult Society?”

“The truth. Say that you have spoken with Mr. Thorne about it and he believes they were attempting to deceive us all. In fact, tell him that the Society gentlemen were attempting to steal what my uncle did not want them to have.”

After a moment’s consideration, he said, “I will do what you ask. But, Papa will not be pleased with you.” Elizabeth said nothing. He stared at her for a moment longer, thinking she would speak. However, when it was clear she was dismissing him, he nodded and said, “Fine. I will tell him. Two weeks, Elizabeth. I doubt any of us can hold him off for longer.”

The door was barely closed behind her brother when Miss Thorne walked into the room. “Miss Elizabeth, I am so sorry for having eavesdropped. The butler let me in and said you would wish to see me. I heard everything. I am so very sorry. Are you well? Would you like a glass of wine? I will ask the servant.”

Elizabeth sucked in a breath and pushed down the rising terror in her soul. As horrid as that argument had just been, the one she was going to have in fourteen days would be so much worse. She tried to speak, but could not form the words.

“I will get Mrs. Spencer this instant. Oh, Mrs. Spencer! Elizabeth is done for.”

Aunt Cass walked directly to her and wrapped her arms around her. Elizabeth broke down into weeping sobs. “There, there, child. Mr. Thorne is off to chase your brother and bribe the worthless young man into submission.”

That only made Elizabeth weep harder. Maybe she should just sell the damn book. Then maybe her father would leave her alone.

Elizabeth pulled away from her aunt and wiped her eyes with the back of her sleeve. “No, Miss Thorne. You will stay. I have two weeks left in town and I am determined more than before that we shall figure our Mrs. Egerton’s book incantation.”